Preliminary

TOWN OF STODDARD

PLANNING BOARD

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD January 16, 2008

MEETING CONVENED AT 7:30 PM

 

Members attending included: George Preston, George Davenport, Dale Smith, Terry McMahon, Louis GrandPre’ and Michael Oldershaw, Alternate. Absent were Dennis Marquis and Casey Hayes.

 

Correspondence: Emails from George Preston re: Junk Yard Ordinance Subcommittee; Voluntary Merger application from Thomas & Jean Dobson; Invoice and final CIP document from SWRPC; Offer of a Zoning Bulletin from Thomson-West ($168.00); Announcement from NH Office of Energy & Planning to save April 26, 2008 for 15^th Annual Spring Planning & Zoning Conference; Applications for Scholarship Program from NH Local Government Center; Announcement from SWRPC for a Land Use Clerks Training on January 12, 2008 in Concord.

 

Minutes of previous meeting: George Preston moved and George Davenport seconded to accept the minutes of the December 4, 2007 meeting as presented, the board approved. George Preston moved and George Davenport seconded to accept the minutes of the December 8, 2007 meeting as presented, the board approved.

 

Public rudimentary questions: Amy Rokoszak asked what progress the board had made concerning Casey Hayes’ position on the board. Terry McMahon said that if a member resigns the board is allowed to replace him until the next town meeting. However, if the member consistently fails to attend meetings and does not resign, the only way the board is empowered to remove him is after a public hearing. He felt that such a hearing could raise contention among residents and bring rancor against the board. Louis GrandPre’ and George Preston reported that they had talked to Casey over the holidays and understood that he was considering his involvement with the board. Dale Smith agreed to contact Casey to learn of his decision. Amy Rokoszak asked if the position were vacated, would the public be notified in time to allow interested parties to file for election to the board. She was assured that would be the case.

 

General business: CIP update: Terry McMahon reported that he has received the final document and supporting computer disc for the CIP project from SWRPC. He said he feels ready to get information out to the public in preparation for the required public hearings. He announced that it is the committee’s plan to hold 2 public hearings – the first on February 5, 2008 and the second on February 19, 2008. George Davenport brought up the problem of holding a public hearing on February 5th as the School Board has noticed their public hearing on the next year’s budget for the same date. Terry McMahon said he has spoken to Dr. Tyrie, Superintendent, and she must hold the public hearing on that date due to scheduling of 3 more hearings in different towns. George Preston moved and George Davenport seconded to hold the February regular meeting and public hearing on February 6, 2008, the board approved. George Preston suggested that the board prepare hard copies of the CIP document and post an electronic copy to the town’s web site. After discussion, George Preston moved and Terry McMahon seconded to print 50 copies of the CIP document for public information and post the same on the town’s website, the board approved. Dale Smith will meet with the Selectmen to learn if there is money to fund that copying project. Terry McMahon approved the invoice for the balance of the CIP preparation costs due to SWRPC so the Administrative Assistant can cut a check for that expense.

 

Junk Yard Ordinance update: George Preston reported on the formation of the Junk Yard sub-committee. He inquired if there is a budget to cover expenses he has incurred to make copies and postings for members and public information. George said he has a price of $52.00 each for up to date Planning and Land Use books from LexisNexis (Mathew Bender). The secretary said she has ordered the new year’s books at a pre-publish price of $10.00 for each Planning and Zoning Board member. She will check with SWRPC to see if they are available now. Mr. Preston also said he has various questions that have to be asked of a lawyer. He will consult with the NH Municipal Association lawyer for any question they can answer. As the town is a member of that association, the lawyer will consult with the committee for no charge. Then he will have to consult Atty. Little for specific issues pertaining to the Town of Stoddard. He said he is not comfortable consulting with Atty. Little alone. It was suggested that the committee prepare questions to be presented to Atty. Little so he will be up to speed when he meets with the committee.

Dale Smith asked George to be frugal as there aren’t any specific funds set aside for the sub committee’s expenses.

George Davenport suggested using the State RSA’s, listed on the Internet, to obtain information pertaining to Junk Yard Ordinances. George Preston said the draft is substantially RSA 236:111-129.

Dale Smith asked if the committee would be considering when a Junk Yard License applicant becomes a business? What is the order – do the Zoning and Planning Boards deliberate before the NH DES does? He also inquired how far the town would get involved in aesthetic issues.

George Preston answered as far as the RSA’s regulate the aesthetics.

George Davenport wanted to understand what direction does the board expect the sub committee to go.

Dale Smith asked what direction the Selectmen would like to see happen.

Louis GrandPre’ said he is just one Selectman and they would have to attend a Selectmen’s meeting to get that answer. However, as he recalls, that particular subject’s meeting concluded that the license falls on the Selectmen and the Ordinance falls on the Planning Board.

George Davenport asked who the controlling authority of the make up of the sub committee is?

George Preston said he understood he was appointed to pull together a committee of interested residents along with representatives from the Conservation Committee, Selectmen, ZBA and Planning Board.

Dale Smith consulted and read the minutes of the October 2^nd meeting to the board for their information. It was found that Mr. Preston’s understanding is correct.

Dale Smith advised George Davenport to address his concerns to the chairman of the sub committee.

Referring to aesthetics, Harry Power said if the junk is out of sight he is satisfied.

 

Amy Rokoszak said she just wants the ordinance to reflect a true junk regulation but not to expand it so far as to regulate how long a lawn is allowed to grow. She also suggested the town engage a “per issue” code enforcement officer, who could be shared with other towns.

George Preston thought it was time to ask the voters at town meeting for a code officer.

Louis GrandPre’ reported that the Selectmen have presented this issue to the town meeting on several occasions and have been shot down each time.

 

George Preston asked where the National Flood Insurance Program stands. Dale Smith explained that he is waiting to consult with John Halter, who attended an informational meeting on the subject. He feels the boilerplate article, he has, is about ready to be placed on the Town Meeting warrant.

 

Subdivision applications: None

 

Site Plan Review: None

 

Other business: The board consulted the tax map and concluded that the Voluntary Merger requested by Thomas and Jean Dobson was in order and the chairman and secretary signed the form for recording at the Cheshire County Registry of Deeds.

 

Adjourned: Louis GrandPre’ moved and George Preston seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 PM, the board approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Patricia E. Putnam

Secretary